Marathons have become a feature in many festivals and other celebrations across the country. Over the years these events have drawn thousands of participants, some even shelling out hard-earned money for hotel and travel for the sheer excitement of competing with other runners. As the popularity of running as a sport and pastime grows, the number of running teams has also increased. In short, running has become religion.
And when we say “run,” don’t be content with fun runs where many participants merely want to show off that they can wiggle their butts and then head straight to a fastfood joint for soda and burger. Aim for longer distances but never rush things up, that is, be persistent and patient at the same time. Your prowess develops over time.
Keep in mind too that running is a discipline that requires one to dump bad old habits (like waking up late) and develop good ones (like getting enough rest and sleep). Watch your nutrition. Ask for tips from experienced runners. Always find time to run. Doing it three times a week is a good start, and from there, increase it to four or five times.
It may not be as spectacular as, say, soccer or basketball, but running can be considered the most inclusive sport. People of all ages can run as long as they don’t suffer from arthritis and other serious illnesses that make running inadvisable. Why, there’s even that grandma in her nineties who has finished several marathons and ultramarathons and counting. Age doesn’t matter, it’s a question of willpower.
Nor is a disability a reason to shy away from running. Saw that ad on TV featuring an amputee in a grueling race? Or maybe you had watched that true-to-life movie in the 1990s about another amputee who ran from the US to Canada to raise funds for cancer research. The message: there are no excuses not to run.
